Fort Snelling played a part in both the Civil War and U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. It was used as a base for mustering Union troops in and out of the army, organizing supplies, and recruitment. The fort was also the site of a concentration camp for about 1,600 Dakota people after the end of the U.S.-Dakota war, mostly women, children, and the elderly. They spent one winter there under horrible conditions. Between 130 and 300 people died before survivors were removed to a reservation in the spring of 1863. Troops continued to muster in and out while the U.S. Army organized expeditions against Dakota deemed "hostile" by the U.S. government. The last soldiers mustered out in June 1866.